Reaction of N-Methylimidazole and Dimethyl Acetylenedicarboxylate in the Presence of N-Phenyl Carbamate under Solvent-free Conditions

An efficient synthesis of 1,2,3-functionalized imidazoles and dimethyl-2-[(alkoxycarbonyl)- anilino]-2-butenedioate derivatives via one-pot reactions between N-methylimidazole, dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate and N-phenylcarbamates under solvent-free conditions is described. The mild reaction conditions and good yields exhibit the synthetic advantage of this method.